Gas industry launches ad blitz

The natural gas industry has launched a multimillion-dollar advertising campaign to promote the industry and its economic potential for the nation.

The Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association says the campaign, called Our Natural Advantage, warns of the consequences to the public and politicians if the country's next wave of gas projects fail.

The multimillion-dollar campaign promotes the industry and its economic potential for the nation.

But environmentalists and farmers have slammed the ad campaign.

Felicity Wishart from the Australian Marine Conservation Society says the industry wants special treatment that will jeopardise the Great Barrier Reef.

"We're disappointed and alarmed that another section of the mining industry is wanting to see the fast-tracking of developments and the wind-back of environmental protections," she said.

"We're particularly concerned about the impacts on the Great Barrier Reef.

"The industry wants to see special treatment for them, they want to minimise their costs and the concern is that that will be at the risk of the reef.

"What happens when the mining boom is over?

"We don't want to be left with a ruined reef and damage to a $6 billion tourism industry."

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